Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Life isn't about how you survived the storm - it's about how
you danced in the rain!

I began my journey
this week into gentle Hatha Yoga which, for these classes, combined yoga movements with the glorious
sound of Tibetan & crystal bowls, gongs and bells which is thought to improve
the movement within cells, meridians, breath and deepen the relaxation
response within our nervous system.

Hatha Yoga which has been practiced for thousands of
years is a compilation of physical postures and movements called asanas.
Combined with mindful breathing it produces a relaxed state that encourages a
deepened meditation. And I have to say, after our 90 minute class I was totally
relaxed and had a peaceful sense of calm which was very comforting after a very
stressful day.

This was not as strenuous as other practiced forms of
yoga, it was slow and gentle and allowed for a more relaxed and laid back
workout. Gentle yoga is ideal for those
with mobility issues, the elderly and women who are pregnant.

What I appreciate is it's restorative aspect, used to prompt
the parasympathetic nervous system,
which balances the body. By stimulating this system, you can experience a lower
heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps to stimulate the immune and
endocrine systems. When stressed or overwhelmed, it's the parasympathetic nervous
system that restores balance to the body.

Many spas and wellness centres offer yoga classes, or alternatively check out a yoga program in your community and enjoy the many benefits of bringing together
mindfulness, breathing and physical movement.

The term YOGA comes from a
Sanskrit word which means yoke or union. Traditionally, yoga is a method
joining the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic
Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this
goal, also called self-transcendence or enlightenment.

On the physical level,
yoga postures, called asanas, are designed to tone, strengthen, and align the
body. These postures are performed to make the spine supple and healthy and to
promote blood flow to all the organs, glands, and tissues, keeping all the
bodily systems healthy. On the mental level, yoga uses breathing techniques
(pranayama) and meditation (dyana) to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind.
However, experts are quick to point out that yoga is not a religion, but a way
of living with health and peace of mind as its aims.

Yoga has been used to alleviate
problems associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, migraine
headaches, asthma, shallow breathing, backaches, constipation, diabetes,
menopause, multiple sclerosis, varicose veins, carpal tunnel syndrome and many
chronic illnesses. It also has been studied and approved for its ability to
promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Yoga can also provide the same
benefits as any well-designed exercise program, increasing general health and
stamina, reducing stress, and improving those conditions brought about by
sedentary lifestyles. Yoga has the added advantage of being a low-impact
activity that uses only gravity as resistance, which makes it an excellent
physical therapy routine; certain yoga postures can be safely used to
strengthen and balance all parts of the body.

Meditation has been much studied
and approved for its benefits in reducing stress-related conditions. The
landmark book, The Relaxation Response, by Harvard cardiologist Herbert Benson,
showed that meditation and breathing techniques for relaxation could have the
opposite effect of stress, reducing blood pressure and other indicators. Since
then, much research has reiterated the benefits of meditation for stress
reduction and general health. Currently, the American Medical Association
recommends meditation techniques as a first step before medication for
borderline hypertension cases.

Modern psychological studies have
shown that even slight facial expressions can cause changes in the involuntary
nervous system; yoga utilizes the mind/body connection. That is, yoga practice
contains the central ideas that physical posture and alignment can influence a
person's mood and self-esteem, and also that the mind can be used to shape and
heal the body. Yoga practitioners claim that the strengthening of mind/body
awareness can bring eventual improvements in all facets of a person's life.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

I adore Vancouver Island for so many reasons, and my bi-annualexcursion is about to get underway. Research is done, trip map (mostly) planned and several spas along the waywill be a very welcome R.R & R.

Most of my research took place on line at HelloBC.comhowever I also picked up a few really good guide books at CAA as I want this tobe the perfect holiday.

Vancouver Island is renowned for its warm, friendly,and I might add relaxed atmosphere. The stunningscenery ranges from pristine pacific north-west coastlines, a myriad oftranquil islands accessible by the BC ferry service , interior mountain vistaswith glacier and snow- capped peaks, forests (new and old growth), amazinghiking and biking trails, and my favourite, the tame and not so tame beachesthat can stretch for miles. And the food, well, equally outstanding--organicproduce and fresh sea food up and down the island with some of the west coast'smost exceptional chef's. In 2011 CondeNast Traveler named Vancouver Island the #1 Island in Canada.

Vancouver Island is less than 20 minutes by air fromeither Vancouver or Seattle and is a massive island, over 19,356 square miles(32,261 sq kilometres). It also boaststhe mildest climate in all of Canada.

On this trip one of my stops will be a visit to theKingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa, in Courtenay. "Home to the renownedPacific Mist Hydropath®. Unique to North America, the Pacific Mist Hydropath®features eight water therapy stations set in a recreated West Coast shorelineof sculpted caves and pools. The spa offers a full range of services."

And to relax? There is a largeselection of wellness centresand spas on Vancouver Island, many of which feature stunning naturalviews and treatments with local ingredients, such as seaweed, wine, berries andcedar trees. For a hot springs escape, take a short boat tour to the remote Hot Springs Coveand soak next to the Pacific Ocean."

Spa Girls Blog

I created the SPA GIRL blog in 2009 because I wanted to share my spa experiences.
I am a big fan of aromatherapy,
thalassotherapy, spa cuisine and history.
I love to pamper myself, inside and out! And why not? I work hard, travel a lot and find the spa experience exciting each and every time.
Since the beginning of history, people have resorted to springs, baths, and spas for the therapeutic effects and power of their healing waters. Today the Spa experience has expanded to include so many ways to live a happy, healthy, holistic lifestyle.
Relax, rejuvenate, and restore: that’s Spa Girl's motto.
Spa Girl covers a number of my interests including: aromatherapy, home spa treatments, spa modalities, feel good tips, spa destinations, natural products and spa foods.
Spa Girl is also on facebook where in addition to my blogs I post links to other spa writers, spa reviews and tips.
I have studied aromatherapy for a number of years and create my own salt scrubs, bath oils, soaps and skin creams.
I am an avid researcher and love to research all aspects of the spa industry, study and of course try every spa experience there is.
My other passion is art museums.